On Monday, June 6, 2011, James Sinegal, co-founder and CEO of Costco, received the 2011 International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award (IDEA).

Mr. Sinegal gave a presentation to the students of the Asper School of Business at 9:30 a.m. This was followed by a short ceremony during which a plaque honouring him was unveiled.

The IDEA gala dinner was held Monday night, June 6, 2011 at the Convention Centre in Winnipeg, where Mr. Sinegal was presented with a custom-made pure gold IDEA medal produced by the Royal Canadian Mint specifically for the occasion.